The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.2004, Síða 14

160
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 58 #4
(Regardless of size, who shall not call it a
ship?), along with letters and pictures from
his loving grandchildren, and a bottle of
brennivin. To this was added Rod's trea-
sured knife, which he had made, along with
another that he and his sons made together
(for what is a Viking burial without
weapons?).
With an ancient Viking prayer, the
grandchildren set the miniature ship ablaze,
and it sailed out toward Valhalla, as the
northern lights came alive and swooped
across the sky, the Valkyries coming to
claim a fallen warrior, or perhaps Rod's
sign of thanks to his children.
This re-enactment of an ancient specta-
cle is sure to live on in the hearts of the
Johannesson family, and the story will be
passed on by the grandchildren; a rare
modern-day connection with ancient
times.
Sons Randy, Rick, Ron and daughter Cindy Johannesson with the boat constructed to
honour their father.